AFC Emley manager Darren Bland has resigned from the club following on from their heavy 8-1 defeat against Sheffield in the Sheffield and Hallamshire Cup last night.

Bland leaves the KoolSport NCEL Division One club to take up a coaching position with Sheffield United's academy alongside running his own business.

Emley secretary John Whitehead announced: "Darren has resigned with immediate effect. We would wish him well for the future and every success at this higher level of football."

Bland took over the reins at the club during the summer and has seen mixed fortunes during his tenure.

His side struggled to score goals in the League going the first five games without a goal but, following this, they did put together a run of twelve games without a defeat.

Bland also oversaw the club's best run in the FA Vase since its formation five years ago but, ultimately, the club have struggled in the League and remained in the bottom five throughout the season.

In the interim, Bland's assistant manager Darren Hepworth, who recently stepped up from the reserve team, will take over managerial duties.

Hepworth has a tough task on his hands with his first game in charge being against new league leaders Pontefract Collieries on Saturday.